Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 1646: No Need to Fear

Regardless of the true nature of today's events, the show had to go on. Young Master Yuan confirmed the betting procedures with the four opponents and proposed a time limit of only ten breaths for each person to observe the Immortal Origin Stones."Ten breaths?"

The various moguls exchanged glances, looks of ridicule blooming in their eyes as they stared at the four newcomers to see how they would react.

The refined cultivator smiled faintly and glanced at his three companions. "The three of you, they've proposed ten breaths. Is that enough?"

"Ten breaths it is then. Though it's a bit shameless, it's plenty of time to look at a few pieces of Immortal Origin Stones," replied one of them with a casual smile.

Seeing that the four didn't know when to back down and had accepted his conditions, Young Master Yuan coldly snickered inwardly. He ordered his men to bring out one Immortal Origin Stone after another, each covered by a black cloth.

For the first round, he sent Wang Nan onto the field. The refined cultivator sent forward one of the women. Each side had to identify a single Immortal Origin Stone from a pool of one hundred within ten breaths and then bet on its contents. Whichever side found the higher value would win. It was simple, yet it demanded extreme mastery.

Everyone knew that before today, Wang Nan must have observed these sources countless times. Now, it was just a matter of seeing the opponents' methods. If they truly could find a piece within ten breaths that could defeat Wang Nan, then the districts that had lost to them previously had no reason to complain.

As the match began, the black clothes were ripped away one by one. Wang Nan feigned observation for a few breaths, intending to select the specific origin he had already pre-selected. However, the opponent was even faster. The female cultivator walked directly to that very piece.

"I'll take this one," she said.

Wang Nan froze, a flash of disbelief crossing his eyes. Even Young Master Yuan was surprised.

"That Stone was likely the one Wang Nan had his eye on. These people really have some skill."

"No wonder those districts lost to these four. What exactly is their background?"

"I haven't heard of such powerful Immortal Origin Masters within the dynasty... Could they be...?"

The various district bosses speculated privately. Wang Nan's expression turned ugly but he had no choice but to settle for his second-best option and selected another piece. The process of unsealing the stones was the most heart-pounding part. Everyone watched with rapt attention as the two sources were slowly opened.

Meanwhile, Fang Chen's divine soul had already exited his body, observing the surroundings from the void. There was a patch of space that felt distinctly strange. Had Fang Chen not been in his soul state, he might not have sensed it.

Fang Chen's mind stirred. An eighth-transformation immortal from the God Dao Sect?

He could vaguely sense numerous figures converging silently upon the area. These cultivators were all part of the Great Sorrow Army. Meanwhile, the green-robed cultivator and the four sixth-transformation Fallen Immortals beneath him had been inside the Four Seas Immortal Origin Shop from the very beginning, their auras completely concealed like slumbering vipers, ready to ambush their prey at a moment's notice.

When his soul returned to his body, Fang Chen immediately saw that the Wang brothers' faces didn't look good.

Young Master Yuan nodded toward Fang Chen. "Daoist Fang, it's your turn."

Young Master Yuan's face was grim, and he was starting to feel anxious.

Why hasn't the Great Sorrow Army acted yet?!

If the betting match ended in his defeat before they struck, the damage to his reputation would still be irreversible. If his Immortal Origin Masters were incompetent, who would believe in the quality of the Stones he sold?

Fang Chen looked at the Wang brothers and asked in mock surprise, "You two have been defeated so quickly?"

Their faces contorted and they nearly exploded at the remark, but managed to suppress it given the gravity of the occasion.

"Daoist Fang, as long as we win a single round, it counts as our victory. This round... I hope you will give it your all," transmitted Young Master Yuan his voice solemnly.

Fang Chen remained noncommittal as he stepped toward the Immortal Origin Stones. His opponent was still the same female cultivator who had just defeated the Wang brothers. This was the final round, and the atmosphere was thick with tension. While some wanted to see Young Master Yuan fail, they also understood the principle of "when the lips are gone, the teeth get cold." They hoped he could pull off a win to stop this fire from spreading to their own shops.

Just as the final round was about to begin, a solemn, majestic voice thundered from mid-air.

"The Great Sorrow Army is conducting official business! All bystanders, clear the area immediately!"

The Great Sorrow Army?!

Before the crowd could react, the soldiers of the Great Sorrow Army stormed into the shop like wolves and-tigers, surrounding the four mysterious cultivators. Simultaneously, the green-robed cultivator led the four sixth transformation. Fallen Immortals slowly down from the second floor. His hands were tucked into his sleeves, his robes fluttering as he walked. His aura, belonging to a seventh-transformation Ancient Immortal, weighed down on everyone's hearts like a massive mountain.

"I can't... breathe... Is this a seventh transformation Ancient Immortal?"

The crowd was terrified, unable to comprehend what was happening. Young Master Yuan, however, was overjoyed. With a thought, he walked toward the green-robed cultivator with a beaming smile and cupped his hands,"I am pleased to report that I have not failed my mission. I have successfully lured these four into the trap."

"Wait?! Are these people high-ranking members of the Great Sorrow Army?!"

The realization hit the crowd, sending shockwaves through their hearts. How did a simple betting match draw in the leadership of the Great Sorrow Army? And how did Young Master Yuan possess such deep ties to them that he was part of the operation?

Seeing the looks of gravity, shock, and awe directed at him, the corners of Young Master Yuan's mouth curled upward. He was basking in his moment of triumph.

The green-robed cultivator stared indifferently at Young Master Yuan, a flash of mockery hidden deep within his eyes. He then slowly nodded. "Mhm. With your cooperation this time, our operation has proceeded quite smoothly. Step aside for now. Once we have handled today's business, we shall reward everyone according to their merits."

"Yes, Sir!"

Young Master Yuan immediately stood to the side. The Wang brothers and the fourth transformation immortal looked at each other, a sudden surge of joy welling in their eyes.

So, today's betting match had an entirely different motive? That meant the bet no longer needed to continue, and technically, they hadn't lost to these four. And these four were actually targets for the Great Sorrow Army to capture?

The Great Sorrow Army soldiers, surging in like a tide, had already surrounded the four in a formation so tight not even a drop of water could leak through.

"Those who have nothing to do with these four Evil Immortals, please exit," the green-robed cultivator said calmly.

Evil Immortals!? These four are Evil Immortals?

The various moguls of the district finally realized and departed in a hurry.

Fang Chen naturally wouldn't linger. He turned and left, heading to a distant teahouse. Once there, his divine soul exited his body to observe the situation from afar.

Young Master Yuan noticed that Fang Chen had left the shop but didn't think much of it. In fact, he felt it was for the best that Fang Chen wasn't there. It prevented him from accidentally letting slip any information and snatching away the credit for the favor.

Within the Four Seas Immortal Origin Shop, only the four God Dao Sect cultivators, the Great Sorrow Army soldiers, Young Master Yuan, and his three subordinates remained.

The refined cultivator scanned the surrounding Great Sorrow Army before fixing his gaze on the green-robed leader. He cupped his hands and asked, "My Lord, could there be some misunderstanding?"

The green-robed cultivator offered no explanation. He simply ordered, Take them."

The situation turned critical instantly. In the blink of an eye, the entire Four Seas Immortal Origin Shop fractured and collapsed with a thunderous roar. The four God Dao Sect cultivators shot into the sky, pursued by a swarm of Great Sorrow Army soldiers.

"You four, give chase as well. Do not be afraid, the Grand Commander has arrived," commanded the green-robed cultivator casually.

The four sixth-transformation Fallen Immortals looked at each other, let out sinister laughs, and pursued the four God Dao Sect cultivators.